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9/09/2019
Do I need an NBN Modem?
The NBN is tumbling towards completing its nationwide rollout. At the time of writing, over ten million Australian residencies have already been hooked up to the NBN (or National Broadband Network, if you have the time), and by 2020 it is estimated that rollout will be complete, with the rest of Australia's fixed-line phone and internet services
Hardware/Modems
3/01/2013
Refresher: What is a modem?
The word modem, for many people recalls the screechy plastic boxes made by firms like US Robotics that were in use in the Dial-Up age, c. 1997. These sturdy little units could deliver Yahoo, Geocities and Hotmail at the blinding fast speed of 56 kilobits per second (but usually 32 kbps to keep more stable).For a guide on how to configure an old
Hardware/Modems
29/11/2012
Why is my download speed so slow, and where does my connection come from?
Dodo, iPrimus, TPG and Club Telco all offer plans with unlimited downloads. Internode, MyNetFone, Optus and Telstra all offer plans with hundreds of gigabytes. The average Australian usage is about 21GB a month, though that figure is rapidly rising. So who is using all that data, and what for, and why are some things slower than others? Click here
Hardware/Modems
7/08/2012
How to configure your old Telstra or Optus modem to use with another Internet provider
Mobile phones have a market model that most people can wrap their heads around. In exchange for 24 months of guaranteed service, mobile providers will furnish you with the latest handset for free (or for a few dollars a month). The long contract offsets the price of a device that would otherwise cost you hundreds of dollars to buy
Hardware/Modems
10/07/2012
Why is it so difficult to get a broadband connection?
To try and get a broadband connection right now is a maddening game of cat and mouse. If you’re in a regional or rural area, you can be guaranteed a run-around of epic proportions, with each service provider wanting money upfront and two weeks to suss out your address and the situation underground, just to come back and tell you “sorry, you have
Hardware/Modems
22/05/2012
Is there a difference between a Telstra DSLAM and an Internode DSLAM?
We’ve talked a bit about how an ADSL service gets to your house along the copper telephone network. But once it hits the telephone exchange, your tenuous copper connection is connected to a big, bad piece of networking equipment with an epic name – DSLAM (”Dee-SLAM!). What is this device, and is there a difference between Telstra’s DSLAMS and that
Hardware/Modems
17/03/2012
How does Wi-Fi Work?
Ever wondered how your Wi-Fi actually works? It can be a little confusing to the uninitiated. In another article, we wrote about the difference between Wi-Fi and Mobile broadband, and how the word “Wireless” can confuse the two.  It’s important to know the distinction, especially when calling service providers to connect a new service. In a
Hardware/Modems
18/10/2011
Top ADSL2+ modems
The best ADSL2+ modems can hold a faster, more stable connection. Conversely, older or poorer quality units can cause dropouts and issues with your broadband. Some broadband internet plans will send you a free modem upon signup, whilst others may require you provide your own. At Compare Broadband, we’ve analysed some of the top units in the field
Hardware/Modems
31/08/2011
New Netgear router offers Cloud service
Netgear has launched a new wireless router designed to share files over a network easily and prevent drop-outs over Wi-Fi.Netgear's N600 Wireless Dual Band Gigabit Router – Premium Edition has taken some of the useful features from business-grade modems and adapted them for a more affordable home device.The first addition is a Clear Channel
Hardware/Modems
10/03/2011
Broadband hardware jargon: What's a dongle?
If you are after a broadband connection and you need hardware, you need to know your wireless router from your dongle. Compare Broadband explains the jargon surrounding broadband hardware.ADSL Modem: An ADSL or ADSL2+ modem is a small machine necessary for having an ADSL connection. You cannot simply plug your computer into a telephone jack. A
Hardware/Modems
14/01/2011
Can’t get an ADSL Wi-Fi connection at home? Try a Mobile Wireless Gateway
These days groups of people, be they families or students living in share house accommodation, often want a wireless network at home so they can all share the same broadband internet connection. Currently, the most common way to achieve a network like this is to get an ADSL2+ or fast ADSL connection through a landline telephone line, and then set
Hardware/Modems
4/10/2010
Using a fax machine on an ADSL broadband phone line
It’s not unusual for people who own small businesses to want to be able to use a fax machine on their landline. The question is will you be able to have a fax on the same phone line as your telephone and ADSL broadband connection?Australia’s two main broadband providers, Optus (1300 137 897) and BigPond, own the copper wire telephone networks their
Hardware/Modems
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